Pathophysiology & Risk Factors
Which urinary disorder involves crystal formation within the urinary tract that can obstruct urine flow and cause severe flank pain?
Urinary Calculi.
Which symptom is most characteristic of renal calculi?
Severe flank pain radiating to the groin.
What imaging test is most often used to confirm the presence of urinary calculi?
Non-contrast CT scan.
What is a priority nursing intervention for a client with acute renal calculi pain?
Administer prescribed analgesics and encourage fluids.
What fluid intake recommendation should the nurse provide to a client with a history of urinary calculi?
Drink 2 to 3 liters of water daily unless contraindicated.
What causes urinary retention and obstruction in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
Enlargement of the prostate gland compresses the urethra.
A male client with BPH reports straining to urinate and dribbling after voiding. What is the primary cause of these symptoms?
Urethral obstruction from prostate enlargement.
Elevated BUN and creatinine levels in nephritis indicate what?
Decreased renal function.
The nurse prepares a male client with BPH for catheterization. What type of catheter is preferred?
Coude catheter.
What dietary change should a client with BPH make to reduce urinary symptoms?
Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
In nephritis, inflammation of which renal structures primarily causes decreased filtration and hematuria?
Glomeruli.
What urinary change might indicate nephritis?
Dark, tea-colored urine.
What diagnostic test helps evaluate urine flow obstruction in BPH?
Bladder scan or post-void residual measurement.
What is the priority nursing action when monitoring a client with nephritis and reduced urine output?
Assess daily weights and intake/output balance.
A client recovering from nephritis asks how to prevent recurrence. What teaching is most appropriate?
Complete all antibiotic courses for future infections.
A client with nephritis and hypertension has edema and oliguria. Which pathophysiologic mechanism explains these symptoms?
Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and sodium retention.
A client with nephritis reports headache and blurred vision. What should the nurse assess next?
Blood pressure.
A client’s urinalysis shows protein, RBCs, and casts. Which disorder does this pattern suggest?
Nephritis.
Which task can the nurse delegate to a UAP caring for a client with BPH and continuous bladder irrigation?
Measure and record urine output.
Which self-care instruction is important for a client after urinary stone passage?
Strain all urine and save any stones for analysis.
A patient presents with urinary calculi. Which factor increases their risk the most: high calcium diet, immobility, or dehydration?
Dehydration.
A client with BPH is unable to void despite feeling bladder fullness. What is the priority nursing action?
Assess for bladder distention and notify the provider.
A client with urinary calculi has a serum calcium level of 11.2 mg/dL. What is the most likely cause?
Hyperparathyroidism.
A client with nephritis is prescribed furosemide IV 40 mg twice daily. The vial is labeled 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
4 mL.
A client with BPH is prescribed tamsulosin (alpha blocker). Which teaching point is most important?
Rise slowly from sitting or lying positions.